沉默放射抗拒鼻咽癌细胞Annexin A2基因表达对裸鼠鼻咽癌移植瘤放射敏感性的影响

目的探讨沉默Annexin A2基因对放射抗拒鼻咽癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤放射敏感性的影响。方法选择36只SPF级BALB/c裸鼠,雄性,6周龄,体质量18~22 g。按随机数字表法分为对照组[CNE-2(R743)组]、单纯照射组[CNE-2(R743)/R组]、转染对照组(sh R-C组)、转染对照联合照射组(sh R-C/R组)、转染组(sh R-ANXA2组)及转染联合照射组(sh R-ANXA2/R组),每组6只。用p Gene Clip空载体及p Gene Clip-ANXA2-sh RNA载体转染CNE-2(R743)细胞构建移植瘤动物模型,用6 MV X射线在室温下行单次照射动物,总吸收剂量为10 Gy,剂量率为每分钟400 c Gy,照射野面积为20 cm×20 cm。观察各组裸鼠移植瘤照射后的生长情况、移植瘤体积变化情况,免疫组织化学检测移植瘤组织中Annexin A2的表达,Western blot检测移植瘤组织中Ku70和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达。结果 10 Gy X射线照射后3周,sh R-ANXA2/R组(168.46%±129.00%)裸鼠肿瘤生长速度最慢,与CNE-2(R743)/R组(462.26%±195.60%)和sh R-C/R组(407.99%±116.60%)比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。沉默Annexin A2的sh R-ANXA2/R组(2.68%±1.29%)的相对生长速率较CNE-2(R743)/R组(5.62%±1.96%)和sh R-C/R组(5.08%±1.17%)降低(P0.05),生长抑制率增加。sh R-ANXA2/R组的q值为1.06,提示有放射增敏作用。免疫组织化学结果显示,sh R-ANXA2组移植瘤中Annexin A2的表达较CNE-2(R743)组和sh R-C组低。各组裸鼠移植瘤组织中Ku70蛋白的表达未见明显变化(P0.05)。sh R-ANXA2/R组(2.97±0.44)的PCNA蛋白表达水平较CNE-2(R743)/R组(2.04±0.63)和sh R-C/R组(1.26±0.38)明显升高(P0.05)。结论沉默Annxin A2基因可以提高裸鼠体内鼻咽癌移植瘤的放射敏感性。     

长链非编码RNA CCAT1对人宫颈癌XB1702细胞裸鼠移植瘤放射敏感性的影响

目的探讨长链非编码RNA(lnc RNA)结肠癌相关转录因子1(CCAT1)对宫颈癌XB1702细胞裸鼠移植瘤放射敏感性的影响。方法通过电穿孔法分别将CCAT1 si RNA和重组表达载体pcD NA3.1-CCAT1转染人宫颈癌XB1702细胞后,G418筛选得到稳定转染细胞系,实验分为3组:CCAT1si RNA转染组、pc DNA3.1-CCAT1转染组和空白对照组。转染48 h后,RT-PCR检测细胞中CCAT1 lnc RNA表达水平;CCK8检测细胞增殖,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡影响;裸鼠移植瘤实验检测上调和下调RNA CCAT1表达联合X射线照射对宫颈癌的生长抑制作用。结果干扰XB1702细胞中CCAT1 lnc RNA表达后,XB1702细胞增殖被抑制,细胞凋亡率增加;裸鼠移植瘤平均体积明显小于对照组(正常XB1702细胞种植组)差异有统计学意义(P0.05);上调XB1702细胞中CCAT1lnc RNA表达后,XB1702细胞增殖能力明显增强,细胞凋亡率降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而上调组裸鼠皮下种植瘤平均体积较照射前无明显变化。结论下调CCAT1 mR NA表达能抑制人宫颈癌XB1702细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长,增强瘤体的放射敏感性。     

c-Met基因调控肺腺癌A549细胞放射敏感性

目的探讨上调和下调肺腺癌细胞株A549细胞中c-Met基因表达水平后,该细胞鼠移植瘤放射敏感性的变化情况。方法利用电穿孔法将c-Met siRNA和重组表达载体pc DNA3.1-c-Met分别转染入肺癌A549细胞后采用G418筛选得到稳定转染的肺癌细胞系。转染48 h后用RT-PCR法和Western blot法分别检测细胞中c-Met基因和蛋白表达水平,采用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖活性;克隆形成实验研究分别上调和下调c-Met基因表达水平对肺腺癌细胞株A549放射敏感性的影响;TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡影响,移植瘤实验检测基因沉默和激进c-Met基因表达水平并联合放射射线照射对肺腺癌细胞生长的抑制作用。结果 c-Met下调组中肺癌A549细胞内c-Met基因和蛋白表达水平明显降低,而上调组中的表达水平则得到了明显升高。c-Met下调组肺癌A549细胞放射敏感性升高,c-Met上调组肺癌A549细胞放射敏感性降低(P0.05)。下调组中肺癌A549细胞的增殖活性受到抑制而细胞凋亡率显著增加(P0.05),上调组肺癌细胞的增殖能力明显增强而细胞凋亡率明显降低(P0.05);下调组裸鼠移植瘤的平均体积明显小于对照组,而上调组裸鼠移植瘤的瘤体平均体积则显著大于对照组(P0.05)。结论基因沉默c-Met的基因表达水平能显著降低肺癌细胞的增殖活性,抑制人肺癌A549细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长并明显提高移植瘤瘤体的放射敏感性。     

shRNA沉默β-catenin基因表达对人食管癌细胞生物学特性的影响

目的 构建稳定抑制β-catenin表达的食管癌细胞克隆,观察shRNA介导的β-catenin基因沉默对人食管癌细胞生物学特性的影响,为以β-catenin为靶的食管癌基因治疗提供理论和实验依据.方法 通过细菌转化、酶切、测序鉴定和基因重组等方法构建针对β-catenin的RNA干扰质粒pGen-3-CTNNB1和阴性对照质粒pGen-3-con.利用脂质体介导转染技术转染人食管癌细胞系Eca-109,经G418筛选得到稳定抑制β-catenin表达的食管癌细胞模型(pGen-3-CTNNB1细胞);逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)、细胞免疫荧光和Western blot检测RNA干扰组(pGen-3-CTNNB1)、阴性对照组(pGen-3-con)及未转染组(Eca-109)3组细胞中β-catenin的表达;建立裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,观察抑制β-catenin表达在活体内对肿瘤细胞生长能力的影响,免疫组织化学检测移植瘤组织中β-catenin的表达水平;体外浸润实验、迁移实验检测各组细胞的侵袭转移能力.结果 成功构建了针对β-catenin基因的RNA干扰载体pGen-3-CTNNB1,建立了稳定抑制β-catenin基因表达的食管癌细胞模型;与阴性对照组[(1.18±0.13)g]和未转染组[(1.38±0.21)g]比较,RNA干扰组[(0.42±0.09)g]移植瘤重量明显减轻(P＜0.05);瘤组织中β-catenin的表达水平明显降低;抑制β-catenin基因表达后,食管癌细胞的浸润能力显著降低,阴性对照组浸润细胞数为(81±5)个/HPF、未转染组为(77±6)个/HPF、RNA干扰组为(41±4)个/HPF(P＜0.01);迁移能力也显著下降,阴性对照组迁移细胞数为(73±5)个/HPF、未转染组为(69±5)个/HPF、RNA干扰组为(38±4)个/HPF(P＜0.05).结论 在人食管癌细胞Eca-109中存在β-catenin表达异常和Wnt信号通路的异常激活,抑制β-catenin基因的表达可以在裸鼠体内显著抑制食管癌细胞的生长,并降低其侵袭转移的能力.     

siRNA对VEGF蛋白表达的影响及对裸鼠移植肾癌的抑制作用

目的探讨siRNA沉默血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）基因对人肾癌裸鼠移植瘤VEGF蛋白的表达水平及生长抑制作用的影响。方法化学合成针对VEGF的siRNA序列,通过脂质体将VEGF-siRNA转染到ACHN细胞中,将转染VEGF-siRNA的ACHN细胞（A组）、转染空质粒的ACHN细胞（B组）及未转染的ACHN细胞（C组）分别接种于裸鼠背部皮下。在SPF环境中饲养裸鼠并观察各组裸鼠移植瘤的生长情况,每隔5d测定移植瘤体积大小（肿瘤的长轴L,短轴W,肿瘤体积V=1/2LW2）,绘制肿瘤生长曲线,采用免疫组化及Western blot法测定裸鼠移植瘤组织切片中VEGF蛋白的表达水平。结果 A组小鼠移植瘤成瘤及生长明显缓慢,移植瘤的体积和质量均低于B、C组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;移植瘤组织切片免疫组化及Western blot法检测结果提示：与B、C组相比,A组中VEGF蛋白表达量降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;而B、C组间瘤体的体积重量及VEGF蛋白表达差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论 VEGF在肾癌的发生、发展中起着重要作用,化学合成的VEGF-siRNA可特异性抑制肾癌细胞中VEGF的表达,抑制肿瘤的生长增殖。     

白桦脂醇通过抑制PI3K / AKT 途径抑制宫颈癌小鼠移植瘤增殖

目的:阐明白桦脂醇对宫颈癌细胞系c4-1移植瘤模型裸鼠的影响和机制。方法:皮下注射宫颈癌细胞系c4-1建立异种移植瘤模型,将移植瘤BALB/c裸鼠模型随机分为3组:对照组(DMSO)、白桦脂醇低剂量组(Betulin 50)、白桦脂醇高剂量组(Betulin 200),进行后续使用。白桦脂醇治疗后,检测移植瘤体积和裸鼠存活率;免疫组化检测Ki67和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达水平; TUNEL实验检测移植瘤细胞凋亡情况; Western blot检测磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(PI3K)/AKT通路蛋白表达情况和磷酸化情况。结果:与对照组(DMSO)相比较,白桦脂醇低剂量组(Betulin 50)、白桦脂醇高剂量组(Betulin 200)肿瘤体积明显减小(P0. 01),裸鼠存活率明显增加(P0. 01),Ki67和VEGF表达水平明显下降(P0. 01),且PI3K/AKT磷酸化水平明显被抑制(P0. 01)。结论:白桦脂醇能抑制c4-1移植瘤体积,增加移植瘤裸鼠存活率,下调Ki67和VEGF表达水平和PI3K/AKT磷酸化水平。白桦脂醇可能通过抑制PI3K/AKT信号通路抑制宫颈癌细胞系c4-1移植瘤。     

VEGF165反义RNA对人食管鳞癌细胞影响的实验研究

目的 :观察血管内皮生长因子16 5 (VEGF16 5 )反义RNA对人食管鳞癌细胞EC10 9的影响 ,探讨其治疗食管癌的可行性。方法 :采用亚克隆技术 ,构建并鉴定VEGF16 5 反义RNA的真核表达载体。以重组质粒转染人食管鳞癌细胞EC10 9后 ,将其接种于裸鼠皮下 ,分别利用原位杂交、激光共聚焦、图象分析及微血管计数等方法 ,观察转染前后EC10 9细胞的生物学性状和致瘤性。结果 :成功地构建了VEGF16 5 反义RNA的真核表达载体 ,并在EC10 9细胞中获得表达。转染细胞中VEGF16 5 的表达下降 75% ,其生物学性状不受外源基因表达的影响 ,但其在裸鼠皮下的致瘤性和和瘤组织中血管的生成明显下降。VEGF16 5 反义RNA转染组、空载体转染组和对照组中肿瘤的体积 ,分别为 (82 0± 112 .5)mm3 、(793 0± 10 3 5)mm3 和 (7850± 950 )mm3(P <0 .0 1) ;微血管的密度分别为 (8.5± 1.2 ) /mm2 、(44.3± 9.4) /mm2 和 (46.4± 12 .6) /mm2 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :VEGF16 5反义RNA能够明显减少食管鳞癌细胞内VEGF16 5 的表达 ,具有抑制肿瘤生长和血管生成的作用 ,可望用于实体肿瘤的辅助治疗。     

干扰素α-1b联合环氧化酶-2抑制剂对肾癌细胞及其裸鼠移植瘤的抑制作用

目的探讨干扰素α-1b(interferonα-1b,IFNα-1b)联合环氧化酶-2(cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2)抑制剂对人肾癌ACHN细胞及其裸鼠肾癌移植瘤生长的抑制作用及其相关机制。方法 ACHN细胞及裸鼠根据用药不同分为IFNα-1b组、NS398组(COX-2抑制剂)、联合用药组及空白对照组。CCK8检测用药24 h和48 h后各组细胞增殖抑制率;Western blot检测用药前后各组细胞bcl-xl、COX-2蛋白表达变化。测量并记录各组裸鼠移植瘤的大小,免疫组化方法检测裸鼠移植瘤组织中VEGF的表达。结果 2种药物对ACHN细胞均有抑制作用,且呈剂量依赖性,联合用药优于单用(P0.05);IFNα-1b和NS398均能促进肿瘤细胞凋亡,联合用药促凋亡效果优于单用(P0.05);Western blot结果显示用药各组的bcl-xl、COX-2蛋白表达与对照组相比均下调,联合用药的抑制效果优于单用(P0.05)。免疫组化显示用药各组的裸鼠移植瘤中VEGF均受抑制,联合组抑制作用最明显(P0.05)。结论 IFNα-1b联合COX-2抑制剂对ACHN细胞增殖及其移植瘤生长具有一定的抑制作用。     

NK4基因转染对裸鼠人淋巴瘤移植瘤的抑制作用

目的 探讨NK4基因转染对裸鼠人淋巴瘤移植瘤的抑制作用及其机制.方法 采用NK4基因重组质粒pVITRO2-NK4转染的Raji细胞建立裸鼠皮下人淋巴瘤移植瘤模型,动态监测裸鼠体重和肿瘤大小.8周后获取瘤组织,分别采用免疫组化和脱氧核糖核酸末端转移酶介导的缺口末端标记法(TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling,TUNEL)检测移植瘤组织的细胞凋亡和微血管密度(microvessel density,MVD),并进行相关分析.结果 NK4基因转染组裸鼠移植瘤体积明显小于对照组(P<0.01),而对照组间差异无显著性(P>0.05);各组间裸鼠体重降低,差异无显著性(P<0.01).NK4基因转染组的淋巴瘤细胞AI值达237±10.94,而质粒pVITRO2转染组和未转染Raji组的AI值分别为79.7±30.8和81.7±22.2,NK4基因转染组明显高于对照组(P<0.001),而对照组间差异无显著性(P>0.05);NK4基因转染组MVD为4.7±1.52,而质粒pVITRO2转染组和未转染Raji组MVD分别为12.0±1.00和10.66±1.53,NK4基因转染组明显低于对照组(P<0.001),而对照组间差异无显著性(P>0.05).结论 NK4基因转染可明显抑制裸鼠人淋巴瘤移植瘤的生长,其可能通过抑制肿瘤血管新生和促肿瘤细胞凋亡而发挥其效应.     

17-二甲基胺乙基-17-去甲氧基格尔德霉素对人胃癌裸鼠移植瘤血管内皮生长因子表达的抑制作用

目的:观察热休克蛋白90(HSP90)抑制剂17-二甲基胺乙基-17-去甲氧基格尔德霉素(17-DMAG)对人胃癌裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响,探讨17-DMAG对胃癌生长和血管生成的抑制作用。方法:用人胃癌细胞HGC-27接种于裸鼠皮下,建立裸鼠胃癌移植瘤模型;将荷瘤裸鼠随机分为3组,每组8只:17-DMAG组(腹腔注射17-DMAG 25 mg/kg)、5-氟尿嘧啶(5-FU)组(腹腔注射5-FU20 mg/kg)及对照组(腹腔注射生理盐水10mL/kg),4周后测量裸鼠移植瘤的体积及重量,HE染色观察形态学变化,同时采用免疫组化方法检测肿瘤组织中CD31(以阳性细胞数计算肿瘤微血管密度)及血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达,采用Western blotting法检测VEGF的表达。结果:17-DMAG组移植瘤体积为(288.10±23.32)mm3,5-FU组移植瘤体积为(366.37±26.42)mm3,对照组移植瘤体积为(957.66±117.51)mm3,前二者与对照组比较,均差异显著(P0.05)。移植瘤重量与对照组比较,17-DMAG组(0.41±0.02)g明显低于对照组(1.12±0.08)g,P0.05;5-FU组(0.48±0.05)g也明显低于对照组(1.12±0.08)g,P0.05;17-DMAG组和5-FU组抑瘤率分别63%和57%,2组抑瘤率无明显差异。17-DMAG组微血管密度(21.72±1.24)比对照组(37.78±1.68)明显减少,P0.05;5-FU组(36.70±1.51)和对照组(37.78±1.68)之间没有显著差异;17-DMAG组肿瘤组织中VEGF的表达(15.39±4.37)明显低于对照组(36.45±7.45)和5-FU组(26.11±6.26)。结论:热休克蛋白90抑制剂17-DMAG可通过降低胃癌组织中血管内皮细胞生长因子的表达抑制肿瘤新生血管的生成,进而抑制裸鼠移植瘤的生长。     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Class II HLA in Georgia Caucasus Tbilisi Georgians and their Mediterranean ancestry: The Usko Mediterranean languages

Georgia (or Sakartvelo in its own language) is a South Caucasus Mts. country with its easternmost part is enigmatically named Iberia, like the Iberian Peninsula, which may refer to rivers “Kura” and “Ebro” or their valleys respectively. Most of their inhabitants speak Georgian which is included within Dene-Caucasian group and Usko-Mediterranean subgroup of languages. The latter includes Basque, Berber, ancient Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Hittite, Minoan Lineal A and others. In the present paper, HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles has been studied and extended haplotypes calculated. Most frequent haplotypes are also of Mediterranean origin (i. e.: (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*13:01-DQB1*06:03, or (A*24-B*35)-DRB1*01:01-DQB1*05:01) and DA genetic distances show that closest world populations to Georgians are Mediterraneans. Georgians also show common extended haplotypes ((A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*13)-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:01 and (A*03-B*35)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01) with Svan people, a secluded population in North Georgia mountains. We can conclude that Georgians belong to a very old Mediterranean substratum according to both linguistics (Usko Mediterranean languages) and HLA genetics.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

HLA genes in Amerindians from Mexico San Vicente Tancuayalab Teenek/Huastecos

Huastecos or Teenek Amerindians are presently living at North East Mexico (San Luis Potosi State). They have probably one of the most ancient culture of Mexico and Central America together with Mayas and Olmec groups with which also show close relationships. Proximity to Atlantic Ocean/Mexican Gulf originated that Spaniards had very early contact with them at about 1519 CE or before. In the present paper we have aimed to study HLA gene profile which may be useful for HLA and disease epidemiology and transplant programs in Teeneks. HLA-DRB1*04:07, -DRB1*14:06 and -DRB1*04:11 have been found in high frequency like in other Amerindian groups. High frequency typical Amerindians HLA extended haplotypes have been found, such as A*02-B*35-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; A*68-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 and A*02-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; also new haplotypes have been described, like A*02-B*52-DRB1*04:11-DQB1*03:02, A*68-B*35-DRB1*14:02-DQB1*03:01 and A*68-B*40-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*03:01. Genetic proximity is observed not only to linguistically close Mayans, but also to Mazatecans, Mixtecans and Zapotecans, who speak an altogether different languages; it shows once more that genes and languages do not correlate. This population was greatly diminished after European contact between 1500 and 1600 years CE; in fact, North and South America First Inhabitants population was brought from 80 down to 8 million people because of diseases (i.e.: measles, smallpox or influenza), slavery and war.